But running back LeSean McCoy (thumb) and wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (knee) emerged OK and will not be exposed to live tackling again until the Eagles open the regular season Sept. 7 at home against Jacksonville.

McCoy left the field after a 22-yard touchdown reception in which he made it to the end zone untouched in the first quarter. Yet somehow he had a right thumb injury that required X-rays.

McCoy was back on the sideline within minutes, however, laughing with his teammates. The X-rays were negative, the team announced, but his night would be over.

Not the same for Maclin, who went down with what originally appeared to be a horrific right knee injury when he tried to make a cut. But after being down for a while, he walked off on his own power and returned to action on the next series showing no signs of being shaken.

In fact, he caught a 9-yard pass in his first play back, then caught another 9-yarder to key a field-goal drive late in the second quarter that gave the Eagles a 17-0 lead.

Maclin, coming off ACL surgery that sidelined him for all of 2013, finished the half with a team-high six catches and a team-high 43 receiving yards. He was given the rest of the night off after that.

The top regulars are all expected to be given the week off next Thursday, when the Eagles host the New York Jets in their preseason finale.

Defense shows up

For all those who were alarmed by how poorly the defense performed less than a week earlier in a desultory loss at New England came some hope.

Not only did the Eagles' first-team defense pitch a shutout, but it also made Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger look like a befuddled old man. The first unit included appearances by many backups in rotational situations, not to mention a start by cornerback Nolan Carroll after Cary Williams was a late scratch with a hamstring injury.

Roethlisberger completed eight of 17 passes for 60 yards and an ill-advised toss on the run into the hands of Carroll, who was seeing his first preseason action after sitting out the first two games with an injury.

The Steelers generated just 96 yards on 28 plays, compared with 251 on 44 for the Eagles.

It's a numbers game

Darren Sproles led all Eagles rushers in the first half, finishing with 33 yards on six carries. … Steelers RB LeGarrette Blount, who traveled on his own to Philadelphia after being busted on a marijuana possession charge on Wednesday, led the Steelers with 22 rushing yards on five attempts. … TE Heath Miller was the Steelers' leading receiver with three catches for 22 yards.